WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RICHARD E GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING BLOG. THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO JUSTICE BUILDING RUMOR, HUMOR, AND A DISCUSSION ABOUT AND BETWEEN THE JUDGES, LAWYERS AND THE DEDICATED SUPPORT STAFF, CLERKS, COURT REPORTERS, AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHO LABOR IN THE WORLD OF MIAMI'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE. THIS BLOG HAS BEEN CALLED "THE DEFINITIVE BLOG ON MIAMI CRIMINAL LAW" BY THE NY TIMES, THE WASHINGTON POST, THE POPE, AND DONALD TRUMP WHO ALSO ONCE SAID IT WAS "REALLY GREAT". POST YOUR COMMENTS, OR SEND RUMPOLE A PRIVATE EMAIL AT HOWARDROARK21@GMAIL.COM

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Ties That Bind

UPDATE: For those of you following this story, and we can't get enough of it, the NY State Senate was thrown into more confusion today when one of the two Democratic Senators who switched sides switched back, creating the first ever 31-31 tie. And to make matters worse, the Lieutenant Governor, who normally breaks ties in the Senate doesn't exist, since he became the Governor when Elliot Spitzer resigned because of women problems. The NY Times article is here.

It's 96 degrees outside. It feels like 105. The humidity is 100%.

And only one profession mandates that the male participants wear not just a tie, but also a coat, no matter how hot it is.

Imagine if you will an alien species making contact with earth. After all the fanfare died down, eventually earthlings would escort the aliens around to show them different parts of our cultures.

Can you just see them standing on a corner somewhere in the USA in July with the hot sun beating down and the alien saying "tell me again why the men who go into that building must wear coats in this weather?"

We have no rational answer. Didn't Obama say it was time for change?

This is not about respect for the court. Every female lawyer and female judge manages to dress in a manner that is respectful without being totally ridiculous in face of the rising temperatures outside.

Cooler lawyers make happier lawyers (not to mention better smelling) and happier lawyers tend to get along and settle cases.

So doing away with the coat and tie requirement during the summer months may reduce case loads.

How's that for a "two-fer-the -price-of-one" change?

Judge Slom? Judge Blake? Judge Brown? What can Brown do for you? Make things cooler for a start.

Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

See you in court, sweltering on the walk in, until further notice.

Poll results:

Judge Butchko was not trying to get reversed on appeal by 45%;

73% (140 out of 191) said Judge Adrien was playing the race game in his reelection efforts.

And about a third of us take depos in every felony case, while 25% never take depos in homage to Sy.

36 comments:

This is Miami, it's a million degrees, so the men should be able to wear linen pants and Hawaiian shirts. Nothing like being covered in sweat in that ridiculous wool suit with the silk tie choking us to death.

I dissent. You start down this slippery slope and there is no end. Lawyers will become indistinguishable from defendants. Dressing well not only reflects a respect for the court but a reflection of the respect that you have for others and expect from them. A well dressed attorney is subliminally saying that he is a serious person involved in a serious business and will treat you and your case accordingly. There are certain occasions and civic functions that require such a code: funerals, weddings, and court proceedings, to name three. Imagine what would happen if, say, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed lawyers appearing in front of it to wear shorts, t shirts, and sandals? It would not take long before the lawyers and judges began to lose respect for the seriousness of their mission. Ditto for county and circuit court in Miami. I find it appalling enough that defendants come to court dressed like they just got out of bed. It shows a contempt for the institutions of justice.

I agree with Rumpole. There's no slippery slope here - no one is talking about lawyers wearing shorts and flip flops. After all, you could make the same argument regarding the, ahem, regrettable disappearance of powdered wigs. As for respect for the institution, I don't think it's a serious issue. A regime that is flexible, pragmatic, and responsive to the needs of its constituents is more deserving of respect than one that is archaic and rigid.

Everyone should be able to appear nude in court durinig the summer. Then my crews and I will come in, shoot some pics, do some film, who knows, maybe we'll get some REGJB pornos going. "Randy Rumpole" would make a fine series, paying tribute to his British heritage.

The South Carolina Republican Party recently launched a campaign to reach out to minorities who have, for decades, wanted nothing to do with the state's GOP. On Sunday, however, longtime Republican activist Rusty DePass seemed to be doing everything in his power to thwart that effort when he was caught making a racist joke on his Facebook page about First Lady Michelle Obama.

Over the weekend, a gorilla escaped from a zoo in Columbia, and according to the New York Daily News, DePass just couldn't resist what he saw as the perfect opportunity for humor, updating his status message to read,

I'm curious. Who says you MUST wear a suit and tie to court? Aside from maybe being the only lawyer doing it, there are legal repercussions. I don't think any judge would ever throw you out of court because you are not properly dressed.

Frankly, EVERYONE should be appropriately dressed for court. Judges, attorneys, clerks, offenders, etc. I find it appalling how little respect people have for the system. Wearing a suit and tie is no big deal. Have some respect.

Sorry to read in the Bar News that Brian Richard McComb passed away on March 9th. When I left the prosecutors office and started working for Don Cohn, Brian rented space in the building. He was always quick to help me out if I had any questions, or needed advice. He was a nice guy.

1:36 - Well that is the kindest reason and at least it seems to fall in line with why an Assistant State Attorney who lives in Miami-Dade, but has always worked in Broward, did not get an interview. It may well be that the JNC just does not see the commitment to the citizens of Miami-Dade required to obtain a nomination for an appointment to the bench.

I AGREE. Carpetbaggers have no place on the bench of any county. Pay taxes or serve the citizens of Miami-Dade. Do your community service here. Send your kids to school here. Then you will have shown the appropriate level of involvement that is deserving of consideration.

At least that is my view. What is yours? Stay invovled. (No I am not Michael Putney)

Super Lawyer specifically prohibits that practice. They have a rigid procedure that they follow. Once you have been selected, you can pay money to enhance your exposure in the printed material. Most attorneys, as you can see (if you read it today) do not spend any money on that added offer.

Is there any truth to the rumour criminal circuit court judge David Miller always sentences defendants to the "max", despite mitigation? I hear he has a penchant for always launching any defendant who goes to trial? Sounds rather close minded to me. Does anyone have any experience where his honor reads the PSI and contemplates a reasonable sentence, or is it assumed my client(simple burglary, grand theft auto) will automatically get five should we not prevail? Serious discussion only please...

Check tonight herald re a tourist getting shot and killed by a Miami beach assassin, er cop. My money says the liars, er brass will say it's justified. And of course the victim is Palestinian, so assume the murder will me swept under the rug. I used to think terrorists were our worst enemy, but it seems the beach cops, with their -7 IQ and 6th grade education will be found to have acted I'm good faith. Nothing like a 40k a year meat head with zero education will be back on the street murdering people by next week

No wonder the tourist industry is way down. Come to south beach on vacation, get murdered, the cover up will be in place, and the state atty will cover it up.

Stalin would be proud. Murder someone and get life, but if you're an uneducated cop, get a week off with pay, kfr will kiss your ass, and mbpd will get you more ammo to keep on killing. Thank G-d I left this corrupt county years ago

The west bank is safer and less corrupt than the beach. Just look at officers dionne, Lincoln, fagan, mccue, sayegh, etc.

I have been before "Maximum Miller" in the past and it is true that he loves to launch defendants found guilty.....be careful.....someone told me that there is a defendant that rejected PTI and got convicted of some type of robbery and is pending sentencing....i guess we will see if he is up to his old ways.........